Shrestha, 25, has been doing social works for the last nine years and he wants to continue it till his last breath.
Today, for any kind of developmental works or to celebrate any kind of festivals, the seniors of his society take suggestions from him. [break]
Shrestha, who wants to keep himself busy in any kind of social work, believes nothing is impossible in this world: People just need some courage to carry out any work and they must be determined in it.
“First, we have to be very clear in our works and understand our interests, and then engage ourselves in that tasks,” opines Shrestha. “Everything is possible on this earth. People just must have patience and determination to do anything.”
Along with his social works, Shrestha is also a rights activist. He has long campaigned against the disappeared case of Chhori Maiya Maharjan.
Similarly, Shrestha is the one whose continuous efforts have made the Jhochhe Tole (the old Freak Street near Hanuman Dhoka) a better place to live for its residents as Jhochhe once was notorious as an area of drug addicts.
Today, Shrestha is protesting against the agreement reached between Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and the private firm Sidewalkers, labeling it as an attempt to privatize Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, one of the many UNESCO Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
“I hate drugs and the people who use it because I lost my elder brother because he was a drug addict,” says Shrestha.
A permanent resident of Jhochhe, Shrestha is the youngest member in his family. As he started doing social works at the very young age of sixteen, he was not able to continue his studies after his SLC Exan\minations. He spent more time on social works. As a result, he had to give up his education.
“Today, I’m satisfied with what I’ve done so far. But sometimes, I have an intense urge to give continuity to my studies,” shares Shrestha. “At the same time, I feel odd too. At this age, I’ll have to study with pupils who are my juniors and attend classes with them,” he sighs.
By Pratibha Rawal
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